Chapter 22: Let’s Watch the Sunrise Together!

“I… I…”

Phyllis’s mind went completely blank.

‘I don’t have any feelings for you!’

That was what she was supposed to say.

But why was her heart beating so fast? Why was her face so hot?

“I am your master, and also your captor,” Carola continued, her warm breath brushing across Phyllis’s face. “Do you hate me? Do you resent me? Or…”

Carola’s voice softened, like a feather sweeping across Phyllis’s heart.

“Do you perhaps… feel a tiny bit something else toward me?”

Phyllis opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

What was she supposed to say?

Say that she didn’t actually hate Carola, and even felt that Carola was a little pitiful?

But what about herself?

She had been dragged here by Carola from the sacred land of the catfolk, forced to sign a master–servant contract, and even become her lover or whatever.

And imprisoned in this castle.

Wasn’t she pitiful too?

Did she deserve to lose her freedom like this?

…But all of this didn’t seem like it could be blamed entirely on Carola either.

On one hand, it was because Carola had awakened the Primordial Blood and her personality had become extreme. On the other hand, it was because she herself was too weak.

In this world, weakness was the original sin!

Now she had found a way to become stronger—letting Carola drink her blood would randomly increase one of her attributes.

And the way Carola had been gentler lately really did make her feel a little…

“I… I don’t know, meow~” Phyllis finally chose to avoid the question. She suddenly staggered back several steps, pulling away from Carola. “This kind of thing is too complicated! I—I’m just an ordinary catgirl! Don’t ask me such difficult questions!”

Phyllis hugged her knees and buried her face in the crook of her arms, leaving only a pair of somewhat reddened cat ears exposed.

Carola watched Phyllis’s reaction, froze for a moment, then began to laugh softly.

The laughter started light, then gradually grew bright, echoing along the quiet lakeside of the forest.

“What are you laughing at, meow!”

Phyllis lifted half her face from her arms and glared at her in embarrassed irritation.

“I’m laughing at how cute you are!” Carola stopped laughing, though a smile still lingered at the corners of her lips and eyes. “All right, I won’t push you. This kind of thing really does take time.”

Carola took Phyllis’s hand and pulled her back down onto the blanket.

“I…”

Phyllis hesitated.

“What is it?”

Carola noticed her movement.

“Nothing, meow,” Phyllis shook her head. “I was just thinking… about what will happen in the future.”

“The future?” Carola looked at her. “What future do you mean?”

“I mean… will I have to stay in the castle forever?” Phyllis asked. “Like, coming out for a walk like this is really nice. I was wondering, when you’re resting during the day, could I sometimes come out by myself for a stroll…”

Her voice grew quieter and quieter, because she saw Carola’s expression gradually darken.

“You want to leave me?”

Carola’s voice held no discernible emotion.

“Not leave! Just… just go out to look around once in a while!” Phyllis hurried to explain. “I promise you, I’ll definitely come back!”

Carola stared at her in silence, her red pupils glowing faintly in the darkness.

Phyllis waited nervously for her answer, her tail unconsciously curling around her own calf.

After a long while, Carola finally spoke slowly. “Not right now.”

“Why?”

Phyllis felt a little disappointed, but she heard the implication—if not now, then that meant later might be possible.

“First, you’re too weak,” Carola said bluntly. “It isn’t safe outside. I wouldn’t be at ease letting you go. Second…”

Carola reached out and gently pinched Phyllis’s chin.

“I’m not yet sure whether you would truly come back.”

Phyllis saw the familiar obsession in Carola’s eyes—that morbid possessiveness was surfacing again.

“W-we have a master–servant contract between us! I…”

Phyllis tried to reason with her.

“But although the master–servant contract was successfully formed, it has also lost its effect, hasn’t it?” Carola interrupted her. “The contract can’t forcibly command you either.”

Phyllis fell silent.

Indeed, ‘Blessing of the Cat God’ made her immune to compulsory commands below the level of divine contracts.

She simply had no confidence she could escape once she was a certain distance away from Carola.

That was why she had been trying to find an opportunity to go out…

“So right now, you are free, Phyllis,” Carola’s fingers brushed along Phyllis’s chin. “At least on the level of that contract, you are free. If I let you leave, you could completely go and never return.”

“I wouldn’t!” Phyllis argued. “I said I’d come back, and I will!”

“But what basis do you have for me to believe you?” Carola stepped closer, closing the distance between them again. “Your promise? Or the few short days we’ve spent together?”

Phyllis couldn’t speak.

Yes—on what basis?

Even Phyllis herself wasn’t sure that if she truly had a chance to gain freedom, she would still voluntarily return to this place that had once imprisoned her.

“See? You can’t answer~” A self-mocking smile appeared on Carola’s face. “So for now, stay in the castle. When you’re strong enough, or when I fully trust you… we’ll talk about the future then.”

Carola lay back on the blanket.

“Or when I come up with some other method to ensure you won’t leave.”

That last sentence sent a chill down Phyllis’s back.

Another method? What method? A stronger contract? Or…

Breaking her legs?

Phyllis didn’t dare think further.

The atmosphere between them grew somewhat awkward and heavy.

Several times Phyllis wanted to say something to ease the mood, but she didn’t know what to say.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you combat techniques.”

Carola broke the silence first.

“Huh?”

Phyllis froze.

“Since you want to go out and see the world, then first become strong,” Carola said calmly. “I’ll train you personally. The vampires’ fighting style may not suit the catfolk, but some basic combat awareness and techniques are still universal.”

“Really? You’re going to teach me combat?”

Phyllis’s ears shot upright in excitement, and her eyes lit up.

“Yes,” Carola confirmed. “And you’ve already received my gift. With proper teaching, it’ll be easy for you to become strong. But it will be hard. I won’t go easy on you.”

“I’m not afraid of hardship!” Phyllis said excitedly. “I want to become strong, meow!”

There had always been a problem with Phyllis’s increased attributes—she had the raw stats but not much actual combat power.

After all, combat strength wasn’t just attributes; combat skill was part of it too.

So being able to learn combat techniques was something she had always longed for.

Moreover, in front of those vampires, Phyllis had also seen Carola’s powerful side.

That day, she had completely given up the idea of seeking a third party’s help.

No other reason—Carola was simply too powerful.

“Then it’s settled.”

Carola nodded.

“Then should we go back now?”

Phyllis looked at the sky. At this time, the eastern horizon was already turning pale with dawn.

Daybreak was approaching.

But Carola took her hand and led her to stand.

“We’re going up there,” Carola pointed toward a gentle slope at the edge of the forest, “to watch the sunrise.”

Phyllis followed Carola in a daze, though doubt stirred in her heart.

‘Huh? Aren’t vampires supposed to fear the sun?’